Packaging ManagerThe Packaging Manager is responsible for leading all packaging operations to ensure the safe, efficient, and compliant production of finished goods while meeting customer, quality, service, and cost expectations. This position provides strategic and day to day leadership for packaging operations by developing team members, optimizing processes, improving equipment reliability, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring compliance with all food safety and regulatory requirements. The Packaging manager partners closely with production, maintenance, engineering, quality, procurement, supply planning, warehouse, and R&D to improve operational performance, reduce costs, and build a high performing team.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesEnsure compliance with local, state and federal food safety guidelines, GMP's and PMO requirements for facilityParticipates in plant QA Systems (SQMS Key Element supporter) and HSE systemsEnsure that quality issues are reported to managementResponsible for development, administration and communication of team scorecards in collaboration with operating teamsLead daily operations by establishing clear priorities, communicating expectations, and holding the team accountable for safety, quality, productivity, and performance results.Develop and monitor departmental KPIs, including safety, quality, OEE, downtime, waste, labor efficiency, schedule attainment, and material utilization, implementing action plans to improve performance.Develop, coach, and mentor Packaging Technicians and Packaging Leads to build technical, operational, and leadership capabilities.Maintain and actively manage the department skills matrix, ensuring employee competencies, qualifications, and cross-training requirements are current and progressing.Provide timely performance feedback, coaching, and corrective guidance to address performance gaps, reinforce expectations, and support employee development.Identify training needs and ensure completion of required training, certifications, and qualification programs to support operational excellence and employee growth.Build departmental bench strength by developing succession plans, evaluating employee readiness, and creating growth opportunities for advancement within the Packaging department.Foster a culture of accountability, employee engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.Ensures that quality issues are reported to management immediatelyAccountable for meeting production goals set during shift scheduleAccountable for proper receiving, processing, and packaging of products including any and all documentationDirects and reports the usage of packaging materials, raw milk, sugar, soybean oil, and other minor ingredients and makes recommendations to reduce variancesWorks closely with Operations Leadership and Supply Planning to lock in production schedulesControls cost and minimize loss related to material consumption including all packaging materialsEnsures that all production PM's scheduled are completed effectively by deadlineUtilizes SQMS tools to ensure facility goals are attained (root cause analysis, autonomous maintenance, confined space, etc.Lead Root Cause Analysis and Corrective and Preventive Action activities for quality, food safety, equipment, and operational issues.Ensure audit readiness and support all internal, customer, regulatory, and third party food safety audits.Lead and communicate troubleshooting efforts between all departments when issues ariseInterprets and ensures consistent application of organizational policies and safety regulations with Operations departmentWorks with operating teams to identify and drive out production losses and improve throughoutPerforms other duties as required or assignedQualificationsBachelor's Degree Required, Mechanical Engineering/Food Science preferredMinimum of 7 years of manufacturing or food production experience, including packaging operations.Minimum of 5 years in a supervisory, leadership, or management role in a manufacturing environmentExperience with compliance standards (e.g., OSHA, ISO, FDA regulations) and sustainability practices.Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt to changing demands, and manage multiple projects independentlyDemonstrated experience in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and problem-solving for packaging-related issues, including process failures, product defects, and packaging performance challenges.Experience managing production KPIs including OEE, labor efficiency, waste, yield, schedule attainment, and material utilizationProven experience coaching, mentoring, and developing employeesStrong computer and communication skills, both written and oralBilingual preferred